9/22/1938 – 5/26/2026
Lawrence
Kathryn Dell “Kay” Lanpher Boatright King, a woman of deep social conscience and community spirit, passed away peacefully following a life dedicated to her family and service to others. Her life journey carried her from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Southwest Florida, and finally to Lawrence, Kansas. Wherever she lived, Kay built community and made people feel they belonged.
While raising her children, Leslie, Jeff, and Mac, with her first husband, Robert “Bob” Boatright, Kay began a career at the Public Service Company of Oklahoma. Starting in the secretarial pool, she proudly rose through the ranks to lead volunteer and community relations. She also loved music, singing and traveling across the country as a dedicated member of Sweet Adelines.
Guided by faith and a strong moral compass, Kay quietly lived her values. A prime example was her choice to send her children to Holy Family School-an almost entirely Black school at the time-believing education should open minds and strengthen conscience. During her single years in Tulsa, she regularly opened her home to friends in need, offering them dignity and a safe place to land.
Kay later married Clark King, whom she called the love of her life. Together, they moved to Punta Gorda, Florida, where they embraced life on the Gulf Coast. They built a vibrant life around boating, volunteering, and civic causes. Kay took up golf with enthusiasm-enough to score two holes-in-one. The plaques were proudly displayed in her home, serving as one of the very few things she ever bragged about. She found a valued spiritual home at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, and neighbors knew her as the first person down the cul-de-sac to welcome a newcomer. She also volunteered her time with the local animal shelter (she loved cats), hospice, and various civic organizations in Punta Gorda.
Following Clark’s death, Kay relocated to Lawrence, Kansas, to be near family. She playfully questioned this decision every January and February, but she quickly found wonderful new friends at Pioneer Ridge with whom she traveled and socialized with. The community pub’s dance floor became a favorite spot for Kay, who never lost her love for music and dancing. For the last decade of her life, Kay was cared for with extraordinary love and tenderness by her son Mac and daughter-in-law Mary, who served as her steady advocates, companions, and caregivers. While in Lawrence, she continued her legacy of service by volunteering with Douglas County CASA. The family extends their deepest thanks to the staffs of Tallgrass Training & Wellness, Pioneer Ridge and Neuvant House for their loving care of Kay.
Kay is survived by her children, Leslie Boatright Wood (Allen), Jeff Boatright (Claudia Saari), and Mac Boatright (Mary); grandchildren, Tom and Margot Boatright; and great-grandchildren, Dominic Hardin and Sydney Hardin Noble. She was predeceased by her husband Clark King, her first husband Bob Boatright, and her grandson Aaron Hardin.
Kay will be remembered for her generous heart, strong moral compass, laughter, loyalty, and gift for making everyone feel welcome.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 15, at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 401 W. Henry St., Punta Gorda, FL 33950. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Douglas County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), a nonprofit organization that trains community volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children navigating the court and child welfare systems. https://dccasaks.org/support/online-donation/
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